1997 Ford E-150 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the contact leaned over to the passenger’s side to pick up the cell phone. The contact stated that after sitting back straight in the seat, the air bag deployed unintendedly and without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s eyes and jaw were injured and required medical attention. The contact’s vision became blurry but has since started to improve. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11626259

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-150 equipped with Milestar Tires, Tire Line: Grantland, Tire Size: 235/75/R15, DOT number: TB20R028. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the tires were bouncing. The contact stated upon checking the tires, his son noticed that the tires were cracked and had holes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the tires were defective. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle mileage was 150,258. The approximate tire failure mileage was 800.

NHTSA ID

11423579

Incident

Jun 23, 2021

Mileage

150,258 mi

MY HUSBAND HAD JUST STARTED UP HIS E150 ECONOLINE VAN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE AIRBAG JUST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON HE WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING HE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. IF HE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THAT HE DRIVES EVERY DAY HE COULD HAVE DIED OR KILLED SOMEONE.

NHTSA ID

11176181

Incident

Feb 11, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

WHILE BACKING OUT OF TIGHT PARKING SPOT 9/1/17, WITH MULTIPLE TURNS OF THE WHEEL, TURNED WHEEL ONE LAST TIME TO PULL FORWARD INTO PARKING SPOT DRIVE AREA BUT AT THAT POINT, HEARD A CLUNK AND ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE. CALLED FOR A TOW. TOW TRUCK DRIVE ASSISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS NOTING THAT THE STEERING BOX HAD DISCONNECTED FROM VAN FRAME RENDERING STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION LINES USELESS. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. AFTER ONLINE READ, LOOKED AT FRAME THROUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE ACCESS AND SAW THE 3 BOLTS WE READ ABOUT. GRABBED THE TOP BOLT AND IT CAME RIGHT OUT. SAME WITH SECOND BOLT. LAST (THIRD) BOLT WAS A BIT JAMMED DUE TO THE STEERING BOX DROP, BUT ALL 3 BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND ALL STEERING WAS LOST. HAD WE NOT STOPPED AT A STORE FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY SUPPLIES ON OUR WAY TO CAMPSITE, WOULD HAVE LOST STEERING SOMEWHERE ELSE, LIKE ON THE FREEWAY, POSSIBLY DURING A SIMILAR TURN SITUATION. WE COULD HAVE KILLED OTHERS OR OURSELVES. FOUND THAT THIS FORD E150 STEERING BOLT ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED. WHY WHEN WE HAD THE VAN SERVICED AND SAID THE STEERING HAD FELT "LOOSE", WHY DIDN'T ANY MECHANIC FIND THIS POTENTIAL?? UN-EXCUSABLE SITUATION. OUR PARENTS, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ARE CURRENTLY DEPENDENT ON US. HAD WE DIED DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING, WHAT A NIGHTMARE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. GRANTED, THE 20-YR-OLD VAN IS RUSTY, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW TO LOOK UNDER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA AND APPARENTLY, MULTIPLE (NON-FORD DEALERSHIPS) MECHANICS DIDN'T EITHER !!

NHTSA ID

11022067

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

DRIVING ON BESTBUY PARKING LOT, WENT OVER A SPEED BUMPER HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. DROVE HOME, STOPPED VAN, GOT HELP, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING TO LEFT, LOUD METAL CLUNK FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE, HELPER ON FLOOR NOTICED THAT BOTTOM BOLT HOLDING POWER STEERING BOX IS GOING IN AND OUT, RUSTED ON FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME, THIS BOX SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON REINFORCED BRACKETS FRONT AND BACK OF FRAME THEN WELDED TO FRAME TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS FROM POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF BOX AND FRAME WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT (COULD BE FATAL WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE). SO, WITH THE ENGINE ON, IN PARK, IF THE STEERING IS TURN TO THE LEFT, DRIVER WILL FEEL AND HEAR THE CLUNK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10933940

Incident

Dec 6, 2016

Mileage

167,380 mi

GEARBOX BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM FRAME CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10691445

Incident

Feb 14, 2015

I HAVE JUST RECENTLY LOST THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT DUE TO TOO EXTREME RUST OF THE FRAME, FORD DOES NOT MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS. AND THE FRAME IS NOW CRACKING IN TWO. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BUY A NEW FRAME REALLY. WELL IT WILL NOT BE LONG TILL THE OTHER SIDE GOES. OR MY FRAME BREAKS IN TWO AND CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK AND FORD DON'T SEEM TO CARE. IF THE FRAME NEEDS REPLACED IT SHOULD BE AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT MINE RECALL TIME. THEIR ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS STILL ON THE ROAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10671451

Incident

Feb 23, 2012

Mileage

163,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E150 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPARK PLUG BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.

NHTSA ID

10553069

Incident

Nov 15, 2013

Mileage

280,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WHEN AN EXPLOSION INCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRUCK BURNING UP. THE MOTOR AREA, FRONT WHEELS AND COMPLETED CAB WERE DESTROYED. GAS TANK DID NOT BLOW UP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509987

Incident

Apr 24, 2013

Mileage

220,000 mi

THIS IS THE EXACT SAME SITUATION OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V114000 RELATING TO CRACKS/LEAKS TO THE 'MID SHIP' STYLE FUEL TANK. MY VAN IS A 1997 E-150 CONVERSION VAN. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION AS MANY OTHERS IN THE FACT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS AFFECTED IN THIS RECALL. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED WITH VEHICLES MYSTERIOUSLY CATCHING ON FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. VERY DISTURBING THAT A MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPLACE A LEAKING/DAMAGED FUEL TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502516

Incident

Mar 12, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION 600 MILES FROM HOME I EXPERIENCED A WELL KNOWN FAILURE TO FORD TRITON ENGINE OWNERS KNOWN AS A SPARK PLUG EJECTION FAILURE. I WAS TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND UP TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMAL THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL SOUNDS. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE EXHAUST OR THE INTAKE WAS COMING APART. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED THE DOGHOUSE AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE TO DISCOVER THE RIGHT BANK AND 2ND CYLINDER FROM THE REAR HAD EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG AND DESTROYED THE IGNITION COIL. I UNPLUGGED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE POWER CABLE FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR FROM THAT CYLINDER AND NURSED THE VAN TO A FRIENDS HOUSE 40 MILES AWAY WHICH TOOK OVER 3 HOURS. I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY FINISHED THE STORY FOR ME, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES AND THE FIX WOULD COST $1000.00 PER CYLINDER NEEDING REPAIRED. THIS IS A KNOWN FORD TRITON FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH A RECALL. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE SPARK PLUG LET GO THERE WAS A EXTREME LOSS OF POWER IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT, AND THE RAW FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER ALONG WITH SPARK FROM A LIVE IGNITION COIL IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10465105

Incident

Jul 7, 2012

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.

NHTSA ID

10454528

Incident

Mar 24, 2012

Mileage

172,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA ID

10432781

Incident

Oct 21, 2011

Mileage

162,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WE PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY GOT THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BLAZING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10422897

Incident

Aug 25, 2011

Mileage

89,900 mi

I HAVE AN 1997 FORD F150 THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK AND BOTH STRAPS THAT SECURED THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE. THE STRAPS WORE AWAY AT THE GAS TANK WHICH IN TURN CAUSED A FUEL LEAK IN THE TANK ITSELF. *TT

NHTSA ID

10411880

Incident

Jun 23, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH AND CAUSED HIM TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 1/19/2011 THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME CLOUDY OVER TIME WHICH CAUSED POOR LIGHTING WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 03/25/11

NHTSA ID

10368680

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

HI, THE PART FAILURE IS A FUEL TANK CRACK THAT OCCURS IN THE MID90'S TO EARLY 2000S FORD VANS. THIS DESIGN PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO BY FORD, AND IS ADDRESSED ON A VERY LIMITED LIST OF CERTAIN MODELS AND YEARS UNDER A RECALL NOTICE 01V114000. HOWEVER, THIS TANK CRACK OCCURS ON OTHER NON LISTED VIN NUMBERS AS WELL, SUCH AS MINE. THIS IS THE PROBLEM, THE DOCUMENTED AND COVERED RECALL GROUP VIN NUMBERS PRECEDE MINE AND OCCUR SUBSEQUENT TO MINE, BUT SKIP SEVERAL VINS INBETWEEN. MY CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL TANK, AND THE RESULTING GASOLINE LEAKAGE, OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE TANK DESIGN, WHICH DESIGN FORD HAS REVISITED FIVE TIMES NOW. SO, THERE IS A GASOLINE LEAK THAT RESULTS FROM METAL FATIGUE, AS THE LONG "HOTDOG" SHAPED FUEL TANK FLEXES AND TWISTS, IN FORD'S WORDS, WITH THE FRAME, AND FAILS WHERE IT RUBS STRAPS OR CROSSMEMBERS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET A REPLACEMENT TANK FROM FORD, BUT ALL ARE SPOKEN FOR AND BACKORDERED AS THEY ARE BEING SUPPLIED TO THE DEALERS FOR THE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT LIST OF DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. SO, NO TANKS ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S EXISTING RECALL LIST. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD FOR RESOLUTION, FORD CASE 599552380, FOR SOURCING A TANK AT LEAST FOR NOW. FORD WILL STILL NOT ADMIT TO OWNERSHIP OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR TANK--YET. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DOT, CASE #290654, TO HAVE THE RECALL GROUP EXPANDED TO COVER ALL OF US WHO NEED THIS HELP. AS AN ASIDE, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANYTHING I NEED OR SUPPLY ME ANY SUPPORT SINCE WE COME TO THIS IMPASS AND SITUATION. THEY DO ALSO ADMIT HOWEVER, TO BEING UNABLE TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE OF THE LENGTHY BACKLOG OF PEOPLE NEEDING REPLACEMENT TANKS AND THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THESE TANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352632

Incident

Jun 15, 2010

Mileage

71,289 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND RAPIDLY LEAKING GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A POTENTIAL RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BY HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V114000) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,289.

NHTSA ID

10352033

Incident

Jun 17, 2010

Mileage

71,289 mi

I HEARD A LOUD POP AND DROVE ANOTHER 100 YARDS TO MY SONS HOUSE AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT WITHIN ONE MINUTE. IT HAS STEEL BANDS STICKING OUT OF A SPLIT IN THE TIRE. IT HAS A DIP IN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL WHERE THE STEEL BAND HAS BROKE. THE TIRE IS NOT CUT IT IS SPLIT. THIS WAS ONE OF TWO ON THE REAR , THE OTHER IS STILL ON. I HAVE THE TIRE./ I PUT ON THE SPARE, AND CAME HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334065

Incident

May 31, 2010

Mileage

185,000 mi

THE BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED IN THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10293283

Incident

Nov 23, 2009

Mileage

58,163 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID

10268467

Incident

Apr 23, 2009

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. FOR A MONTH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE WHEN ENTERING, EXITING, AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A FUEL STATION AND GASOLINE SPILLED TO THE GROUND WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP PAST HALF A TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

NHTSA ID

10253180

Incident

Dec 16, 2008

Mileage

126,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-150. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER A/T TIRES, SIZE P235/70R25. ANOTHER DRIVER NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE CONTACT'S TIRE. THE TIRE THEN BLEW OUT ON THE WAY TO THE TIRE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

NHTSA ID

10228297

Incident

May 20, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

IN MY 1997 FORD F-150 4.6 LTR. AUTO TRANSMISSION I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH SELECTING DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH MY GEAR SHIFT. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING ON OCCASION BECAUSE THE SHIFTER WASN'T ALL THE WAY IN PARK. WHEN YOU SHOVE IT IN PARK IT WOULD WORK, I FIGURED I WAS GOING TO BE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION SOON. TONIGHT THE TRUCK WILL NOT GO IN PARK AND I AM HAVING TO START THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP THE EMERGENCY BREAK ON. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK IS NOT ON OR FAILS THEN IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT WILL HAVE IT DONE TOMORROW! *TR

NHTSA ID

10227399

Incident

May 11, 2008

Mileage

175,000 mi

PURCHASED USED 1997 FORD 150 IN EARLY 2005. DROVE TRUCK TO WORK IN SEPTEMBER 2007. SMOKE ENGULFED CAB. TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT TO GROUND. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS ALONG WITH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. LIABILITY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER EXPENSE. STILL PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT I DO NOT HAVE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE UNTIL AFTER TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224316

Incident

Sep 19, 2007